Vt. boat to cut risk of human waste in Lake Champlain

"Champlain's Ark" launches this weekend

A new boat entering Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vt. this week may look like a recreational vessel, but it's on a mission. "Champlain's Ark," as it's called, will target pollution in Lake Champlain. The clean water advocates at the non-profit Lake Champlain International describe it as a one-of-a-kind. It will travel the lake pumping raw bathroom waste from holding tanks in other boats, free of charge.

LCI acknowledged more common types of pollution, namely storm water runoff from parking lots and farmland, have grabbed most of the headlines over the years, but human waste is a concern too. "You can close a beach because of the pathogen issues just from a few boats," said Ross Saxton, LCI's conservation and education director. "So if we can address just that little bit of pollution that caused a headache for families' weekends, then I think we'll make a big difference."

It is illegal to discharge waste into Lake Champlain. But LCI acknowledged there are few resources available to help agencies like the U.S. Coast Guard to enforce the rule. No one knows for sure how commonly dumping happens, said Vt. Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry. "It's probably more common than you'd like to think," he added. "I would hope that a lot of people would be very understanding of the need to keep to keep the lake clean, and wouldn't necessarily discharge wastewater into the lake, but we do know that it happens."

Berry applauded the Ark for its dual roles in water cleanup and public education. It may in some small way contribute to a third purpose, too: marketing support for the state. Lake Champlain strengthens Vermont's reputation for pristine beauty and outdoor fun. Especially in the summer, the lake helps drive what the Vt. Dept. of Tourism & Marketing says is a more than $1.7-billion year-round tourism industry statewide in Vermont.

So logically, suggested Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., a clean lake is good for business in making people want to visit. "We don't have a right to make it dirty. We have a responsibility to clean it up," Welch said. “And that’s a thousand steps by hundreds of thousands of people. Every action that we take should be to enhance the beauty and the health of that lake, not to diminish it.”

Congressman Welch said around $80,000 for the project came from a grant funded through surcharges the federal government requires boaters to pay. Other money came from donations from businesses and individuals, as well as foundation support. The total price tag for the project tops $200,000, Saxton said, including in-kind gifts.

The Ark will be able to hold the contents of four or five boat's waste tanks, Saxton said. LCI indicated in addition to reducing the chance human waste will enter Lake Champlain, the effort should also boost public awareness of pollution in general, as well as how and where waste should be disposed. Marinas in the Burlington area typically charge between $10-15 for the pump-out services.

At first, Champlain's Ark will patrol Malletts Bay in Colchester, Burlington Bay, and Shelburne Bay. Its reach may expand in the future, LCI said. The patrols will be six days a week, and when the schedule is finalized, it will be posted to LCI's website.